Key Takeaways

• Self publishing gives authors full control over the publishing process.
• Writing is only one part—editing, formatting, and marketing matter.
• AI can assist but does not replace expertise.
• Many authors benefit from guidance during key stages.

Introduction

People all over the world want to publish a book. Many think, “I’d love to write a book someday,” but quickly cross the idea out. They end up feeling overwhelmed by what seems like an extremely complicated, long, and expensive process.

In fact, we get authors all the time who are asking questions like:

• How do I actually publish a book?
• Do I need a publisher?
• What steps are involved?

Without thoughtful, experienced advice to address these questions, people can quickly decide that it’s just not worth the effort.

Self-publishing has revolutionized the process.

Today, authors have more control than ever. Millions of books are being published every year, and people who never imagined being an author are suddenly producing multiple books per year.

Now, a person can write, publish, and distribute their book without going through a traditional publishing house. Thankfully, this has opened up an entire world to a new group of people.

However, while self-publishing is more accessible to the general public, it still requires certain steps to ensure a solid product is published and offered to the public.

Self-publishing still requires a clear process.

Frankly, what many authors do not understand is that writing the book is only one part of the journey. Several other important pieces exist in the book publishing process.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how self-publishing works. From idea to finished book, this article will show you what to expect at each stage.

What Is Self Publishing?

Self-publishing is the process of independently writing, producing, and distributing a book without relying on a traditional publishing company.

Today, every author has the ability to handle publishing their very own book. Instead of a publisher taking care of every step while the author comes along for the ride,  the author can now take responsibility for:

• writing
• editing
• formatting
• cover design
• distribution
• marketing

For some, this means more control and, therefore, a more enjoyable and personalized experience. However, it also means more commitment and involvement in each step. Without a traditional publisher, every step falls on the shoulders of the author.

Traditional Publishing vs Self Publishing

Major differences separate the traditional publishing journey from the self-publishing pathway. Understanding the differences between the two helps authors understand which choice is best for them.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing is an agreement between a publishing house and an author, in which the publishing house will bring the book through the publishing process and present it to the market. However, with traditional publishers, authors and books are selected by the traditional publishers.

Many times, this means an author must have a literary agent or a representative who then finds a traditional publisher willing to sign the author to a publishing deal.

Once an author is signed to a traditional publisher, a few disadvantages typically show up for the author:

• The publisher controls the process
• longer timelines
• less creative control
• requires approval for things like book structure, marketing, events, etc.

Self Publishing

While traditional publishing often takes control of the development process of the book (though the level of involvement can vary between publishing houses and the type of contract), self-publishing places much of the process back in the hands of the author.

A few aspects of the self-publishing process that authors often see as advantages include:

• The author controls everything
• faster timelines
• full creative freedom
• direct access to platforms

The Self Publishing Process (Step-by-Step)

Wanting to self-publish your book? Ready to take on the journey without a traditional publisher looking over your shoulder or telling you what you can or can’t do with your book?

Then here are the best steps to take to self-publish your next manuscript into that refined piece of work you’ve been dreaming of.

Step 1: Develop Your Book Idea

Every book starts with a clear idea. This may seem obvious, but sometimes an aspiring author knows they want to write a book…they just don’t know what to write about.

Shaping your idea is the foundation of the entire book process. It sets the goal of what you’re shooting for and helps you know where to go from there.

If you’re struggling to come up with an idea, you can always use AI to help you determine what idea is best. 

Clarifying your idea includes:

• topic
• audience
• purpose

Each of these elements matters.

A topic is obvious. You can’t write a rambling book about many different things. Unfortunately, when self-publishing, you have the freedom to do exactly that. And worse yet, plenty of authors start with one topic, but the book quickly morphs into talking about several topics.

Stick to one. Clarify, drill down, and make the topic simple. Don’t try to force several topics in one, or else you’ll only distract and push off the reader.

Step 2: Outline Your Book

Structure your ideas into chapters.

Even though some authors can get away with writing without outlines or pre-planning, most authors should use an outline. It helps an author organize their thoughts, find holes in their plot line, make the story arc better, and shape the story to have the type of ending that powerfully brings the book to a close.

Don’t forget, you can use AI to help you craft a useful outline for your book.

As an aside: Don’t let your outline stop you from modifying your book’s framework. If you outline and are satisfied, but then find things that need to change – that’s okay. It’s your book, your outline, and your choice on whether you change things up or not.

Step 3: Write the Manuscript

Turn your outline into a full draft.

Take the outline and write the first draft. Get messy, get disciplined, and know that no one has to see your very first draft. Just get something in writing.

Here’s the deal: do not let AI write your full manuscript for you. While it technically can, that doesn’t mean that it should. Instead, write out your chapters and then submit them to AI for revision if you feel so inclined.

But your hard work on your manuscript will pay off if you take the brunt of the load when writing the first draft of the manuscript.

And if you’re struggling with writer’s block? AI can help you hop over that blockage by getting ideas on how to continue forward.

Step 4: Edit Your Book

Editing is critical for quality.

Be cut-throat in your editing. Bring in a person or an AI-assistant to edit for you. Submit it to a close-knit editing group.

Most authors fear the editing process because they believe the more red marks, the worse the author must be. That’s pride and ego getting in the way.

Instead of thinking of editing destroying your confidence and how good a writer you thought you were, embrace the process and understand that the finished product will shine all the more BECAUSE you cared enough to craft and shape the imperfections out of the body of work.

Just as a carpenter sands his creation until it’s buttery smooth, a book needs rounding and sanding to bring the beauty out.

Step 5: Format the Book

Formatting prepares your book for:

• print
• digital (Kindle, etc.)

You’ll need to learn some basic operations of various software programs to get your book formatted properly. However, freelancers and small, independent publishers do exist to help you with this process.

Step 6: Design the Cover

Your cover is your first impression.

A strong cover:

• attracts readers
• communicates value
• builds credibility

Typically, new authors want to design covers that either a)include everything major within the book, or b)are extremely stereotypical in their imagery.

A well-designed cover understands the niche that it is presenting to, and provides insight into the book’s topic without bombarding the reader with too much information.

You’ll notice that each genre of book has a cover style. For instance, you can spot a romance novel from a mile away. A business or self-development book often has large text, simple icons or imagery (or no image). Political biographies almost always have a picture of the person it’s about.

There’s nothing wrong with being artistic…just be careful that your cover confuses what the reader should expect.

Step 7: Choose a Publishing Platform

Most authors publish through platforms like:

• Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
• IngramSpark

These platforms handle distribution and offer simple, easy-to-use publishing. Not only that, but the distribution you have access to is global. Not only does Amazon offer a global presence for your book, but IngramSpark now offers access to Barnes & Noble, automatically listing your book in the Barnes & Noble catalog, as well as other third-party book stores.

Step 8: Publish Your Book

Upload your various elements:

• manuscript
• cover
• metadata

Once you fill out all of the required fields, make sure your book is properly loaded and formatted, and you can click publish. After a short review period, assuming the platform approves your book, it will be listed as live.

Step 9: Market Your Book

Publishing is only the beginning.

Authors must:

• promote
• build visibility
• reach readers

Sadly, many authors believe that once their book is published, everyone will be breaking down their door to read their masterpiece.

An author with a published book is an entrepreneur with a product. People are inundated with millions of books every year, and your target community needs to know your book even exists. Then, you need to build enough trust with them that they’ll spend their hard-earned dollars to purchase the book.

This comes down to understanding marketing for your book.

Where AI Fits Into Self-Publishing

AI can support multiple stages:

• idea generation
• outlining
• drafting
• editing

However, AI does not replace:

• strategy
• structure
• publishing expertise

AI can be a powerful tool. However, it is only as good as the person who uses it. Giving an AI-assistant specific tasks, such as outlining or editing, can be beneficial for a person who is running a tight timeline and/or budget.

But when it comes to strategy, structure, and expertise, an AI-assistant cannot out-think the author.

Common Mistakes First-Time Authors Make

Skipping Editing

Authors who skip editing and go right to publishing are leaving valuable corrections and improvements on the table. While a reader may forgive an error or two, they will quickly give up reading a book that is a rambling, error-laden mess.

And despite what many authors think, every first draft can use some serious edits.

You want to produce a product you can be proud of, and the editing process is the most important way to do so.

Rushing the Process

When a book is rushed to be published, the focus becomes time versus quality. And those who are in a rush will sacrifice quality to finish on time.

Instead of rushing the process, be sure to set reasonable deadlines for yourself and approach your book with a careful, methodical nature.

Remember, a rushed book is a weak book.

Ignoring Marketing

Despite what you may think, people are most likely not going to pick up your book at first glance. The vast majority of books are sold on recommendation: either from a friend or a trusted voice.

Marketing helps an author bridge the gap between them and their potential reader’s community. After all, if they don’t know about your book, would you leave it to chance that they stumble across it, choose to pick it up when put against 4 million other books being published every year, and pay money to read it sight unseen from an author they don’t know?

When you market your book, you’re showing that you value your product. You’re doing due diligence to connect with your readers and build a community from the ground up.

Doing Everything Alone

If you do everything alone (especially editing), you’ll find the process to be an overwhelming headache.

Those who have done it several times may have a better grasp of the process, but many times, authors who have completed the entire process themselves hire someone to help them at certain stages.

Authors who lean on others to help them in certain stages show wisdom and maturity in wanting to produce a top-of-the-line book.

Much like any other business, there will be people better than you at certain aspects. Why hold them back from shining just to do it yourself?

Otherwise, at least look into AI-assisted book writing and publishing. Using an AI-assistant may be enough to get you across the finish line.

How Pastors and Christian Authors Approach Self-Publishing

Pastors often start with:

• sermons
• teachings
• devotionals

Content produced by pastors is a ready-made solution for those looking to get into publishing a book. Their lessons and teachings are valuable material, and are typically well-researched for Sunday morning.

Why let it go to waste?

Self-publishing allows them to:

• expand their message
• reach new audiences
• create long-term impact

Unfortunately, pastors have lost the art of publishing sermons and teachings, despite the fact that pastors have been publishing their sermons in every way imaginable for centuries.

In fact, some preachers even printed their sermons on the paper used to wrap fresh meat, knowing that the person who bought the meat would see the message and read it when they got home from the market!

When to Seek Help in the Publishing Process

While self-publishing allows independence, many authors benefit from guidance. An author has a specialty in a certain lane. More than likely, an author also knows people who specialize in other areas, be it editing, cover design, publishing, or marketing.

If you’re thinking about self-publishing a book and wonder who can help you achieve your dream of becoming an author, then feel free to contact Panthera Publishing. We’ll answer any questions you have and provide you with what to expect during the self-publishing process.

Frequently Asked Questions about how to self-publish

Do I need a publisher to publish a book?

No. Self publishing allows authors to publish independently.

How much does self publishing cost?

Costs vary depending on editing, design, and services used.

How long does it take to publish a book?

It depends on the process, but self publishing is typically faster than traditional publishing.

Can I publish a book using AI?

AI can assist with writing and editing, but authors should guide the process carefully.